St. Charles School at 8125 Swan Creek Road, Newport, MI 48166 US - Student Handbook - Part II

Sexual, Racial, Ethnic Harassment Policy Definition of Sexual Harassment - Student Relationships Sexual harassment refers to sexually inappropriate behavior that is not welcome, that is personally offensive to some, and fails to respect the rights of others. Harassment can be either conduct or communication. Accordingly, sexually inappropriate behavior means inappropriate touching, gestures, and language of a sexual nature directed at faculty, staff or other students. Sexual harassment also includes conduct or communication that has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with another student’s education, or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. It is the policy of the Archdiocese of Detroit and Saint Charles School to make every effort to provide an educational environment as well as a work environment free from all forms of harassment. This policy applies to the actions of all faculty, staff and students at Saint Charles School, as well as others who may be in a working relationship with the school. The Archdiocese of Detroit and Saint Charles School are open to and respect the complaints brought under this policy. Respect for the dignity and worth of each individual is a basic tenet of Saint Charles School. Each individual or others who are in a working relationship with the school are entitled to work/attend school in an environment free from discriminatory practices, including sexual and other forms of illegal harassment. All will be held to standards of conduct which ensure that the school is free from sexual and other forms of illegal harassment. Saint Charles School will neither tolerate sexual harassment nor will it tolerate reprisals against any employee, student or other persons who make a sexual harassment complaint. Any faculty or other staff member who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment. Any supervisor or faculty member who receives a complaint of sexual harassment and fails to take corrective action pursuant to this policy is also subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment. Students are expected to treat all persons, including each other, with respect and dignity. Accordingly, sexually inappropriate behavior directed at faculty, staff or other students will not be tolerated. Such behavior will result in disciplinary action up to and including exclusion from school. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, the following: •touching another individual in a sexually explicit or arousing way; •making obscene gestures or engaging in other actions of a suggestive or degrading nature; •making insulting, disparaging, or otherwise offensive comments about another individual’s physical characteristics or attributes; •suggesting through words, gestures, or in writing that another individual, student and/or members of that individual’s family, are involved in inappropriate sexual activity, or that their lifestyle is in any way inferior due to ethnic or racial customs: •deliberately taking any action, through the use of drawings, notes, sounds, or any other means, calculated to cause another individual shame or embarrassment; and • requesting, suggesting, and/or inviting any form of sexual activity between oneself and another individual. Racial, ethnic, or sexual harassment is completely contrary to and unacceptable in a Catholic educational environment and will not be tolerated. Such behavior will result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from school. Any individual who believes that he or she has been subject to harassment should promptly report this to the Principal. An investigation will be undertaken and appropriate action taken. Failure to comply with these rules or the rules of the classroom may result in written assignments, a denial of recess or other privileges, detentions, suspensions, or expulsion. Weapons Archdiocese of Detroit 1995 State law requires the reporting of possession of a “Dangerous weapon” to the local law enforcement agency. “Dangerous weapon” includes a firearm, dagger, dirk, stiletto, knife with a blade over 3 inches long, pocketknife opened by mechanical devise, iron bar or brass knuckles. If the school participates in Federal Programs (Chapter II, Hot Lunch, Drug Free Schools, Transportation) the school policy must include a provision for expulsion as stated in the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994. Definitions: 1. A weapon is any object which can be used to threaten or injure another. It includes but is not limited to “dangerous weapons” as defined above. 2. School premises includes the school building, parking lot, playground, lockers, buses, church, and is not limited to these areas. 3. Immediate vicinity of the school means a block radius of the school. Any student discovered to be, or suspected of, carrying, possessing, concealing or transferring a weapon on school premises or in the immediate vicinity of the school shall be immediately excluded from classes pending investigation. Any student who threatens to bring a weapon to school to harm another individual shall be immediately excluded from classes pending investigation. A search can be conducted to verify the suspicion or clarify the discovery. It may include, without prior warning, an inspection and search of a student’s person, pockets (student empties his/her own pockets), book bag, purse, lunch container, locker, etc. Questioning of the same purpose may include questioning by the principal, member of the administrative team, a schoolteacher, the pastor or a person acting in the place of any of these. If a body search is required, it shall be conducted in the principal/s or pastor’s office or other appropriately private place. Another person of the same sex shall conduct the search of the student with pastor or principal acting as witness. If a student refuses to cooperate or interferes with a search of a person or possessions or premises: she/he will be warned that refusal to cooperate without legitimate reason will result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from school. Depending on the nature of the weapon, the local police department shall be notified immediately and if possible, the student detained whenever the school has reason to suspect a student may have a weapon or when a weapon is present on school premises. Any student found in violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. If an injury occurs in school, on school premises or in the immediate vicinity, as the result of a student carrying a weapon, the principal and teachers shall endeavor: to have students remain calm and avoid panic; to notify the police, and pastor; to secure the school; to notify and consult with the immediate supervisor or other appropriate party in the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Office. The principal may exercise the options to both keep non-school persons out of the school and/or retain students in the school until police have completed their investigation. Any student determined to have threatened to bring a weapon to school will be disciplined at the discretion of the administration and may include suspension or expulsion of the student. Any student determined to have brought a firearm to school will be expelled for a period of not less than one school year. (180 days in 1995-96) The term “firearm” means: * any weapon including a started gun which will or is designed to or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action or an explosive; *the frame or receiver of any such weapons; *any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; *any destructive device. Procedures for Emergency Risk Assessment A risk assessment is an evaluation conducted by a qualified licensed mental health professional that determines whether a student is a serious threat to himself/herself or others. When a student makes a serious threat to harm others or himself/herself, the school has a responsibility to protect the individual and the other students in the school. Our school requires that parents obtain a risk assessment that will assist in determining a course of action. A risk assessment is an evaluation conducted by a qualified licensed mental health professional that determines whether a student is a serious threat to himself/herself or others. The evaluation or assessment is the responsibility of the parents. The school will not allow the student to return to school until this evaluation is completed and reviewed. If you have Medicaid or are not insured, you should call Monroe County Community Mental Health at (734) 243-7340. If your family is privately insured, please make your own arrangements. The risk assessment should be completed as soon as possible in an effort to make a timely decision about educational programming. If a parent refuses to obtain a risk assessment requested by the school, the student shall be immediately expelled from the school. After a review of the risk assessment, a course of action or disciplinary procedures shall be at the discretion of the administration and may include suspension or expulsion of the student. Alcohol and Other Drug Use/Abuse Policy The Vicariate of Monroe Catholic Schools consider substance, chemical and alcohol abuse a serious social problem. We recognize that the problem is community-wide, resulting in consequences which impact the school (students, faculty, and families). Our schools will reach out and offer help to any student or staff member who has a problem with substance abuse. We affirm that chemical dependency is a chronic, progressive disease that touches all persons in the dependent’s life. We know from experience that treatment is available and recovery is quite possible. We commit ourselves to facilitating the process of recovery in any reasonable way. Therefore, our school pledges to provide firm, yet compassionate support and action to any member of our community who is affected by alcohol and/or drug use/abuse. Finally, we are aware of the power and allure that alcohol and other drugs hold. We commit ourselves to do everything reasonable to keep our school and events free of alcohol and other drugs. We will deal swiftly and firmly with anyone bringing these substances into our schools or school-sponsored activities. We have set forth a standard of no alcohol or other drug use for all of our students. We commit to offer support and assistance to those members of our community who choose to live their lives free of alcohol and other drugs. Failure to comply with these rules or the rules of the classroom may result in written assignments, a denial of recess or other privileges, detentions, suspensions, or expulsion. Child Abuse and Neglect “A physician, coroner, dentist, medical examiner, nurse, audiologist, certified social worker, social worker technician, school administrator, child care provider who has reasonable cause to suspected child abuse or neglect immediately, by telephone, or otherwise, shall make an oral report, or cause an oral report to be made of the suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department.” The preceding language is from Michigan Law (Act No. 238, Public Acts of 1975), which requires that all cases of suspected child abuse and/or neglect be reported to the appropriate office of the Michigan Department of Social Services. A report will also be made to the Catholic Schools Office. Persons reporting child abuse cases to Monroe Social Services are granted anonymity. The number of the Children’s Protective Services is 734-243-7400. Medication A student can take no medication during the school hours without written permission from the student’s parent or guardian. Prescription medication will be given in compliance with the instruction of a physician. These written instructions signed by the parent and/or physician are required and must include the child’s name, the name of the medication, the purpose of the medication, the time it is to be administered, the dosage, any possible side effects, and the termination date of administering the medication. Non-prescription medicine will be given to the students by the school with written instructions from the parent and/or guardian. The parent must assume responsibility for informing the principal of any chronic medical condition. The total responsibility for dispensing or administering any medication or treatment shall rest solely with the parent(s) or legal guardian and that student. Students may possess and self-administer a metered dose or dry powder inhaler for relief of asthma, or before exercise to prevent onset of asthma symptoms, while at school or at any school-sponsored activity as long as there is written approval from the student’s physician or other health care provider and the student’s parent/guardian to possess and use the inhaler. No student is allowed to provide or sell any type of prescription medication, illegal drugs, or over-the-counter medication to another student. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action. Meningococcal Meningitis The Michigan Department of Education, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Community Health, is required by law (2005 PA 240, MCL 380.1177a) to develop and make available to schools information on Meningococcal Meningitis. Meningococcal Meningitis disease is a serious illness caused by bacteria which infects the blood or tissues around the brain and spinal cord. • This germ can be spread from person to person by close contact. • Common symptoms include a fever, rash, headache, or stiff neck. • It can lead to brain damage, disability, and death. Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine (MCV4) can protect children and adolescents from this disease. • This vaccine is usually given to 11-12 year olds (6th graders). • Because it is a newer vaccine, older adolescents may not have received it. Teens that have not had Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine should be given a dose. • Ask your child’s health care provider if he/she needs the Meningococcal Meningitis • To obtain the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine and other immunizations for your child, see your child’s health care provider or your local health department. • For more information about the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine or other immunizations, talk to your child’s health care provider or call your local health department. Information is also available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov/nip There are vaccines that can protect pre-teens and adolescents from other serious diseases. Sixth graders and teens need the following shots if they have not already received them: • 1 dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV) • 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) • 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine (hep B) • 2 doses of measles mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) • 1 or 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine (var), if they did not have the disease • At least 3 doses of polio vaccine (IPV or OPV) • Some children & teens may need hepatitis A and flu vaccine

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